Blackhawks 4, Devils 3 (OT)

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: December 1, 2016

The Blackhawks played a miserable first period – one where they were lucky to be down only 1-0 afterward. Travis Zajac got the scoring started for New Jersey. Early in the second, Marcus Kruger tied the game for the Hawks, who began to play much better hockey. A second Zajac goal gave the Devils the lead again, but the Hawks would tie the game later in the frame on a goal from Artem Anisimov. Late in the second, the Hawks took the lead for the first time on a goal by Niklas Hjalmarsson. You’re reading that correctly – both Kruger and Hjalmarsson scored. The Hawks played mostly well in the third, but there were a couple times where the Devils controlled the action. Zajac completed the hat trick 8:49 into the third to tie the game. Both teams had chances the rest of the way, but nobody would score and we would head to overtime. Just over a minute-and-a-half into OT, Marian Hossa scored to give the Hawks the extra point. The goal came right after the Devils drew iron.

A few things

Jonathan Toews was still out of the lineup.
I’d like to see Tyler Motte get some time in the top 6. He and Hinostroza would make an interesting combination.

My picks for 3 stars

★★★ Marcus Kruger, C, CHI (1 G)

★★ Marian Hossa, RW, CHI (1 G (GWG))

★ Travis Zajac, C, NJD (3 G)

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com